The Lehigh Switchback Rail-Trail is a

rail trail A rail trail is a shared-use path on railway right of way. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed, but may also share the right of way with active railways, light rail, or streetcar ...

in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The trail surface is natural, consisting of dirt, roots, rocks, and occasional coal chunks. The trail runs downhill on the former right-of-way of the

Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway The Mauch Chunk and Summit Railroad was a coal-hauling railroad in the mountains of Pennsylvania that operated between 1828 and 1932. It was the first operational railway, in the United States, of any substantial length to carry paying passenger ...

from Summit Hill to Jim Thorpe. Located midway on the trail is Mauch Chunk Lake Park which provides parking for hiking & biking up and down the trail. Several bicycle outfitters in the area provide bike rental and shuttle services to the top of Summit Hill that allows riders to enjoy a 100% downhill ride to the town of Jim Thorpe.

References

External links

Gravity railroad
Official Trail website

Local bike shuttle service
Blue Mountain Sports
Local bike shuttle service
Rails-to Trails
Rails-to-Trails page for the Switchback National Recreation Trails in Pennsylvania Protected areas of Carbon County, Pennsylvania Rail trails in Pennsylvania {{US-trail-stub